Polson to host state-required wolf snaring clinic

The Montana Fur Harvesters and Montana Trappers Association are hosting educational clinics on the responsible strategies and techniques for snaring wolves.

Free educational clinics are scheduled for Oct. 7 in Victor, Oct. 12 in Kalispell, Oct. 13 in Superior, and Oct. 16 in Columbia Falls, Oct. 19 in Missoula, and Oct. 21 in Polson.

Snare Education Clinics

Oct. 7 - 6 p.m., Victor, C&S Sales, 164 Victor Crossing West

Oct. 12 - 6 p.m., Kalispell, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office, 490 N. Meridian

Oct. 13 - 6 p.m., Superior, Superior Resort, 1186 Mullan Road West

Oct. 16 - 9 a.m., Columbia Falls, Fur handling clinic & snaring education, 287 Midnight Lane

Oct. 19 – 6 p.m., Missoula, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office, 3201 Spurgin Road

Oct. 21 – 6 p.m., Polson, Johnco Storage, 801 5th Street East

Snares are now permitted for wolves on public and private lands consistent with trapping season dates, with the exception of those areas federally designated as Grizzly Bear Recovery Zones.

Snares must have a breakaway device rated at 1,000 pounds or less installed on the loop end. Snares must be placed such that the bottom of the snare loop is at least 18 inches above the surface.

Power-assisted (e.g. spring-loaded) snare locks are prohibited on wolf snares on public lands. A relaxing snare lock is required on snares in Lynx Protection Zones.

Since snaring for wolves is new in Montana, members of the Montana Fur Harvesters and Montana Trappers Association want to ensure trappers are knowledgeable about the equipment and the regulations associated with snares to avoid non-target captures.

These educational clinics will include demonstrations and explanations on how to set up snares and explanation of regulations.

Before setting a wolf trap in Montana, a person must complete a one-time Montana or Idaho certification course. For more information, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter-education.

To learn more about the Montana Trappers Association, visit https://www.montanatrappers.org/. To learn more about the Montana Fur Harvesters, visit https://www.facebook.com/MontanaFurHarvesters.

To learn more about trapping for wolves in Montana, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations/wolf.